One thing that is so so important to me as a parent, is teaching our kids compassion, and teaching them about being kind hearted individuals. I take a lot of heat for it sometimes ~ when I share the fact that I'd rather talk to the teachers during conferences about what kind of PEOPLE our children are, over how they are progressing in the reading, the writing, and the 'rithemetic.
(For the record, they are progressing just fine in all of those areas, thankyouverymuch!)
Children learn by example, and I do my best to set a great example for them
~ It really doesn't take a whole lot to make a difference.
Now that our kiddos are old enough, one of the things that I am excited about sharing with them is Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is the non profit organization that has inspired millions to pack Christmas shoe box gifts for children in developing countries all over the world.
It couldn't be more simple.
Use a standard sized, empty shoe box (or a small plastic container). You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Download & print out the appropriate boy/girl label, mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Small toys like cars, balls, stuffed animals are great ideas. So are jump ropes, harmonicas, or yo-yos. Necklaces, bracelets, toy watches...school supplies make great gifts too ~ who doesn't love new crayons? Combs, toothbruses, mild soap are also very much needed and very much appreciated. The possibilities are endless.
Include a picture of your child/family with a note in the box ~ if you include your address, you may end up with a pen pal! Wouldn't that be cool!?!
Donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs.
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off at the
collection center nearest you during our collection week, November 12-19, 2012.
For locations and hours of collection visit our Drop-Off Locations page where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP Code or you can call 1-800-353-5949.
You can also send your shoe box gift to:
Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607
For those of you rushed for time ~ or who just love the convenience of online & want to give back...you can pack a virtual shoe box! I tried it, it's pretty cool!
We do hope to find some time to fill up a few show boxes and personally fill them up and drop them off ourselves, because seeing is believing after all - and I think this is a great, great lesson in giving.
Have you ever participated in Operation Christmas Child?
How do you teach your children go give back?
This holiday season build a box with your family to teach kindness, compassion, and generosity.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Operation Christmas Child. The opinions and text are all mine.
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